Assisted Living in Rhode Island: A Family Guide

Facts checked September 28, 2026 against official Rhode Island sources

What assisted living is called in Rhode Island, what it costs, how Medicaid can help, how to check a community’s license and inspections, and who to call if something goes wrong. Every fact links to the official source.

Licensed by

Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), Center for Health Facilities Regulation¹

Licensed communities on Lilisity

63 assisted living, 33 with memory care

Medicaid help

Yes: Rhode Island Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS): Assisted Living²

Typical cost

$7,781 a month (state median, CareScout 2025)

Long-term care ombudsman

(401) 785-3340³

What assisted living is called in Rhode Island

• Assisted Living Residence (basic services)A licensed residence with housing, meals, and help with daily activities. It is not a skilled nursing facility.¹
• Special care / Memory care servicesA memory care wing or a whole residence focused on people with Alzheimer's or other dementia.¹
• Limited health servicesAn added license that lets a residence give more nursing care, including caring for hospice residents who become bed bound.¹
• Medication management licenseAn added license to store and give residents their medications. Not every residence has it.¹
• Fire code licenseAn added license needed to serve residents who cannot leave the building on their own in an emergency.¹

Memory care rules

Rhode Island licenses special care (memory care) as its own level of assisted living. These residences or wings offer all regular assisted living services, with daily life built around the needs of people with dementia.¹

Questions to ask memory care about nights.

What assisted living costs in Rhode Island

The median cost of assisted living in Rhode Island is $7,781 a month, above the national median of $6,200 (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, collected July to November 2025). Prices vary with the apartment, the level of care and the community, so ask each one for its current rate sheet, including care-level fees.

If more care is needed later: nursing home costs in Rhode Island, with CareScout medians and the private-pay rates Rhode Island nursing homes publish.

Plan with our free tools: how long will the money last? and home care or assisted living?

Paying for assisted living in Rhode Island

Medicare does not pay for assisted living. Families pay from savings and income, long-term care insurance, or benefits such as VA Aid and Attendance (estimate it). Who actually pays for long-term care.

Medicaid. Yes. Rhode Island Medicaid covers assisted living services, such as 24-hour personal care, medication management, and activities, in licensed residences that are certified for the Medicaid LTSS program. Call The POINT at (401) 462-4444 for help. Program: Rhode Island Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS): Assisted Living.² Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living in any state, and not every community accepts it, so ask each one.

SSI Enhanced Assisted Living Program. People 65 and older or adults with disabilities who get or apply for SSI, have low income and savings, and are assessed as needing assisted living can get a higher SSI payment to help cover room and board. Apply through The POINT at (401) 462-4444.⁴

How to check a community in Rhode Island

Look up a license. Search RIDOH's list of licensed assisted living residences, including limited health and specialty care residences, and click a name for details. The list is updated weekly. Search Rhode Island’s records.⁵

Always visit in person, at a mealtime or in the evening if you can. Bring the tour scorecard and the 8 tour questions.

If something goes wrong

Abuse, neglect or exploitation. Call (401) 785-3340. How to report.³ If someone is in danger, call 911.

The long-term care ombudsman is a free advocate for residents of assisted living and nursing homes: they help resolve problems with a community, including move-out notices. Call (401) 785-3340 or find your local ombudsman.³

Find assisted living in Rhode Island

Assisted living by city

Every community and county in Rhode Island

Sources

1. Licensing agency, license types, memory care rules (health.ri.gov)
2. Medicaid (eohhs.ri.gov)
3. Ombudsman, reporting abuse (alliancebltc.org)
4. SSI Enhanced Assisted Living Program (dhs.ri.gov)
5. License lookup (health.ri.gov)
6. CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025 (state medians)

Facts checked against these official sources on September 28, 2026. Rules and programs change; confirm with the agency before making a decision. General information, not legal or financial advice.